Healthcare Alerts | Infectious Diseases | Marburg Disease
Rwanda reports 58 Cases of Marburg Virus Disease as the WHO classifies the outbreak as a Grade 3 Emergency
Time to read: 01:50 minutes
Time to listen: 03:46 minutes
Type of article: News
MedED Catalogue Reference: MNMP048
Category: News
Category Cross-reference: Infectious Diseases, Global Health
Keywords: WHO, Marburg, Rwanda, disease outbreak, infectious diseases
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14 October 2024 15:30
According to a press release from the World Health Organization, as of 10 October 2024, Rwanda has reported 58 confirmed cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), including 13 fatalities. The outbreak, which has primarily affected the Kigali region, has prompted the WHO to classify the situation as a Grade 3 emergency, its highest level of response.
The outbreak has been ongoing since the first case was reported on 27 September 2024. Over the last week, 32 additional laboratory-confirmed cases were identified, bringing the total to 58. Health workers have been disproportionately affected, with over 80% of the confirmed cases linked to two hospital clusters in Kigali. The virus has been contained primarily within three districts in the capital city, where extensive efforts to control its spread are underway.
Out of the total cases,15 individuals have recovered, while 30 others are receiving care at the designated Marburg treatment centre. The case fatality rate currently stands at 22%.
Rwanda has ramped up its testing capacity, with nearly 3000 tests conducted so far. The Rwanda Biomedical Center is processing between 200 and 300 samples daily from suspected MVD cases. Contact tracing efforts are also in progress, with over 700 individuals currently being monitored. One contact has travelled internationally to Germany, where local health authorities are monitoring them for the full 21-day incubation period. A contact who travelled to Belgium has completed their monitoring period and no longer poses a public health risk.
WHO has deployed a surge team to Rwanda to support the country’s emergency response. The team is assisting across various key functions, including epidemiology, case management, health logistics, infection prevention, and partner coordination.
The exact source of the outbreak remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as the situation develops. Rwanda’s health ministry, alongside international partners like the WHO, is working to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond Kigali.
Public health officials urge continued vigilance and adherence to infection prevention protocols to help mitigate the spread of the disease.
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